Scuderia Toro Rosso have called up Italian teenager Mirko Bortolotti for testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain, December 1-3.
The 19-year-old, who is a member of the Red Bull Junior programme, will get his chance on the second day of next month’s three-day rookie session. It is thought New Zealand young star Brendon Hartley will be behind the wheel the other two days.
Botolotti, who finished fourth in this year's Formula Two Championship having won the Italian F3 title in 2008, said: "I'm very happy and very proud.
“My target is to get to Formula One in the next few years so to be selected for this test is very important for my career. Of course, if I can get to F1 even sooner then that will be great, but first I must focus on Jerez.
"There are not many chances for young drivers to test an F1 car due to the regulations so I'm very excited and thankful to Red Bull for giving me this opportunity."
In any case, the Italian might have to wait for his chance as earlier this week Sebastien Buemi confirmed that he will be staying at Toro Rosso next season. It is expected he will continue to race alongside Jaime Alguersuari, who replaced Sébastien Bourdais in July.
'My target is to get to Formula One in the next few years' - Mirko Bortolotti
Bortolotti had been linked with a possible move to Ferrari in the wake of Felipe Massa fracturing his skull in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix after he impressed in a test at the end of last year.
He set an unofficial lap record around Ferrari's Fiorano circuit in the F2008 car, beating previous efforts set by regular Scuderia drivers Kimi Raikkonen, Luca Badoer and Marc Gene.
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